March/April 2009

In This Issue

Fresh Ideas for Sponsorships

Testimonials

Kingstonism

In the News

Who We Are

Spring 2009 Dates announced!

April 15, 2009
Tulsa, OK !

April 29, 2009
Worcester, MA !

We increase proceeds & make your life easier.
Get Started Now!

Kathy, aka "Coach K", works her magic with Art McLean, Boys and Girls Club of Derry, NH

I love March Madness! It shoots me right back to the fervor of my early days as "Coach K" for Upsala College Women's Basketball and St. Louis University Volleyball.

Although I'm not running full court press drills now, I still LOVE to coach seminar participants, clients, volunteers and auctioneers all about secrets of fundraising auction success.

Need inspiration? Read how Conway Humane Society's seminar inspired "pitch" showcased how they brought both Angus the cat and their bottom line back to life.

Want to raise more money and increase sponsorships? I'll personally coach you at my new seminars: April 15 in Tulsa, OK and April 29 in Worcester, MA.

Get excited and discover new approaches to sponsorships.

Always BIDhi!

PS: Go UConn Huskies and OU Sooners!

Fresh Ideas for Sponsorships

Are your auction sponsorships down? Since sponsors ARE a special link to your continued success, here are some great tips from our recent seminar.

Kathy energizes seminar students with her interactive style.

Change direction: Transform that "no" into future sponsor support.

• Cultivate long term relationships. Your loyal sponsors really want to help, but it's tough times for some right now: As much as sponsors care about you, they may not be able to support you as they have in the past.
• Be kind to your sponsors in this economy - they WILL come back to you when you honor and thank them for all they have done in the past.
• Create a "new package approach." Stay close to sponsors who can't offer their usual monetary support to include:
  • A monetary donation that is meaningful to the sponsor
  • In-kind support
  • Their unique influence to bring in additional sponsors
  • Donate items for your auction

You'll have a chance to "practice your sponsorship pitch" and receive feedback from USI leaders and their business partners. Please join me, USI and other sponsors at our new April 29th Seminar: Auction Success in a Down Economy in Worcester, MA

Special THANKS to USI New England, our Presenting Seminar Sponsor who has introduced unique leadership in these volatile times.

USI New England works closely with non-profits to help provide insurance and risk management protection for their assets, employees and clients, allowing them the ability to offer critically needed services within the communities they serve. In addition, as part of their commitment to non-profit clients, USI's partnerships include hundreds of volunteer hours with fund raising, special events and projects. At our last auction seminar, USI New England's leadership offered the opportunity for over 80 non-profits critical strategies to achieve auction success in a down economy.

"Kathy's workshops have given our non-profit clients: hope and profit making methods: in an economy that can only be described as dismal. They're fun, interactive and filled with ideas that can easily raise thousands of new dollars, year after year."

-Gail Feinstein, Vice President, Community Relations, USI New England

"I just had to personally thank you for the wonderful seminar; we had high hopes in terms of content, and you more than delivered. Because of you, this was our biggest grossing event in our organization's history, and we are still stunned (and grateful) for all of your help. We are now your loyal fans, and know we will be working with you for many years to come."
	What does Angus the cat have to do with your auction profit?
- Anita Burroughs, Board Member, Conway Area Humane Society, NH

Click here for more testimonials

Insights and Sometimes Rants

Sell the Sizzle!

A picture IS worth a thousand words. Add a PowerPoint slide for each live auction item. Use Beautiful Photos and bullet Key Points. Use large screens to enhance items. This is THE BEST way to focus guests on what is being sold. Be sure to thank the donor on the slides too.

WATCH Kathy Kingston In A NH Chronicle TV Interview

Kathy is featured in a NH Chronicle TV interview! Click this link to watch her interview online.

We are award-winning auctioneers, providing cutting-edge consulting and innovative training for both non-profits and auctioneers. A national leader in fundraising auctions, Kingston Auction Company has raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations throughout New England and across the country for over 22 years. The company founder and president is Kathy Kingston, CAI, BAS. Come to us to make your next benefit fundraising auction a record-breaker.

Our Special Thanks to...

  www.usi.biz

Our affiliations include...

National Auctioneers Association promotes professionalism of auctioneers and auctions through education and technology.

Certified Auctioneers Institute is the most prestigious designation awarded in the industry - only three percent of auctioneers nationwide hold the CAI designation.

Benefit Auctioneer Specialist designation provides auctioneers with unique skills and strategies to conduct, plan and market fundraising auctions.

Email: kathy@kingstonauction.com